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Preview: Zamalek can hardly afford any slip-up as rivals win Petrojet and Ismaily increase pressure on Zamalek ahead of the latter's tough Egyptian Premier League game away to Haras El-Hodoud on Sunday
Cairo side Zamalek can hardly afford a slip-up against Haras El-Hodoud on Sunday after their Group B challengers secured important wins in the Egyptian Premier League. Petrojet and Ismaily defeated Qanah and Masry respectively to keep their lead over third-placed Zamalek intact in a three-team battle for the top two spots, which earn qualification for the final four-team mini-league phase. Zamalek snapped a four-match winless streak after coming from behind to defeat Wadi Degla 3-2 in an exciting match but they still looked unimpressive, with several of their regular players failing to prove their worth. Petrojet are leading the way with 29 points, eight clear of Ismaily who have two games in hand on the leaders. Zamalek, who played one game less than Ismaily and two less of Petrojet, are third on 19 points. The White Knights still have destiny in their own hands but they will have to do without several key players against El-Hodoud. The absences include playmaker Mohamed Ibrahim, who will serve the third of a four-match suspension, defender Hamada Tolba, newly-signed left winger Ahmed Samir Farag and full-back Ahmed Samir, who are out through injury. "Zamalek is the strongest team in Egypt when its suspended or injured players rejoin the squad, but we have ready alternatives to recover these absences," coach Mido told a news conference. "It will be a tough match. We will be facing a strong opponent, but we will have no other choice but to win to complete our league campaign successfully. "Playing successive matches in very little time affects us negatively, but we are depending on a rotation policy to overcome this issue. We are in an unusual season." El-Hodoud, who host Zamalek in Alexandria, still have outside hopes of finishing in the top two. They lie fourth 19 points, on level with their Sunday opponents who have two matches in hand. (For moresports news andupdates,followAhramOnline Sportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/98901.aspx
